Expired medication

[Lata7384]

Hi Ladies,

I really need some advice. I started my ivf treatment last year May 2020 with Northampton Fertility Care. I had my initial consultation and the consultant prescribed me the ivf medication straight away despite telling her I have been diagnosed with PCOs and I had put on 15 kg in past one year due to my menstruation problem. She denied the fact, i gad PCOs based on my ultra sound report. I purchased nearly £4,800 worth of medication. Thereafter, i was called for my bmi check and the nurse told me we had to meet all the protocols and you are above 35bmi. She didn’t mention how much weight i need to drop. The consultant told me, i need to be minimum 97kg. I went back this March 2021 and I weighed 96kg, the nurse said i had to dropped another 5kg. But last month, I noticed my Gonalf 1050 and Gobalf 450 have all expired. I went back to the clinic but they refused to corporate and blaming me for not starting the treatment on time. Well, it’s pandemic and I did mention about my weight struggles and irregular periods which sometimes last for a month. I had to consult GP so that they can prescribed me Northeresterone. On the initial form , i put down my height 170cm because I recently went to NHS fertility centre and they told me my height but the clinic blamed me for giving wrong information and my actual height is 163cm. The clinic also confirmed, theyhave no control on the medication supplied by third party but I paid the clinic for my prescription not the supplier. I reported to the hfea organisation but they are very unhelpful and said they cannot over power any fertility clinic. Can someone please advise. I have nearly £3000 worth of medication expired and have not started my treatment. I am so lost and not sleeping well ever since ☹️☹️😔😔

[Millbanks]

Hi Lata, I'm so sorry to hear your story - that sounds horribly stressful and I'm not surprised you've not been sleeping well. Can you check with the drug provider if there is anything they can do - explain your situation? Do you have medical insurance at all? I haven't been in this situation I'm afraid but just wanted to send you a hug. xx

[Lata7384 in reply to Millbanks]

I have medical insurance but they do not cover fertility treatment. Not sure if they can cover my prescription

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Lala. Sounds like a nightmare to me! Have you spoken with the clinic Manager or even PALS who are attached to the clinic/hospital. I found them very helpful reently when I had an issue myself to report. Thinking of you. Diane

[Lata7384 in reply to DianeArnold]

Hello Diane

I have requested for a meeting with the clinic director but have not heard back ☹️

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to Lata7384]

Hi. Do speak to them again on Monday and all the best. Diane

[Lilly12255]

What is the expiry date?

[Lata7384 in reply to Lilly12255]

February 2021 and March 2021. I have few more expiring in July

[Lata7384]

February 2021 and March 2021

[Lilly12255 in reply to Lata7384]

My personal view is that there is always a buffer to use the meds past the date. So I would go ahead with them if I were you. It’s just a few months.

I have used expired drugs before.

I am not a lawyer but I don’t think you will get anywhere with clinic/hfea etc because you would need to prove that the delay is the clinic‘s fault.

[Lilly12255]

Fed march is the gonal F right? What is expiring in July?

[Running79]

I’ve had surplus medication or had to purchase two trigger injections because they haven’t known which one I would need to use. I was told that once I had the medication they wouldn’t take it back - even if it was in date - so if yours is out of date they won’t take it back, nor will they give you a refund, I didn’t get a refund for my in date meds.

Like Lily has said you’d need to prove it was the clinics fault - baring in mind we are in the middle of a global pandemic, I think you’ll be hard pushed and will have to swallow the cost of the medication